Rim for vehicle-wheels.



R. S. BRYANT.

RIM FOR VEHICLE WHEELS.

APPLICATION man APR. 25, 1912.

1, 172,425. Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

R. S. BRYANT.

RiM FOR VEHICLE WHEELS.

APPLlCATiON HLED APR. 25. 19-12.

1 E'YQQAQfi Patented Fe? 22, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

ham/55555 v v v I I nnrrnn srarns ra rnn r are.

RICHARD S. BRYANT, OF CLEVELAND, QHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE STANDARD WELDI NG COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIQ, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

RINK FOB VEHICLE-WHEELS.

1 JIYTTZAQS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ltpplication filed April 25, 1912. Serial No. 693,079.

had to the accompanying drawings. 1O-

This invention relates to rims for vehicle wheels of the type designed to secure a pneu- .matic or other resilient tire in place there on and permitthe ready removal of the same therefrom for. purposes of repair or replacement. According 'to the usual contemporary practice, such rims invariably take the form of a circular band emb acing thew heel telly and provided with outwardly project-- ing lateral flanges adapted to engage the sides of the tire, these flanges having di fi'erent shapes according tothe particular type of-tire with which they are to be used. The stitinessand rigidity of the tire renders its removal very ditficult incase these rims and their flanges be made in one piece, since such construction necessitates that the tire be 8X panded so as to be pried over the flanges both upon removal and replacement. To obviate this diii'iculty, several expedients have been proposed chief among which are z the contraction of the rim by the removal of a portion or the overlapping of the ends" thereof, so as to avoid the necessity for stretching the tire; the formation of the rim proper of the complete width of the tire but with one of its side flanges detachable therei'rom so that it can bereadily removed and the tire drawn from the wheel with comparatively little opposition; and the formation of the rim in two parts which are de' tachably connected together at a point within the boundary of the tire. It is with the last expedient that the invention of the present application is concerned. It will be ob- 45 \ious that. in effect. the last of the three ex pc-dicnts is much like the second expedient in that in each case one of the flanges is removed. the point of detachment of the flange being in one instance outside of the line of the tire. but in the other case insideof the line of the tire. The efiect upon the structure is. however, very ditferent in the two cases, the methods of securing the parts together not only differing widely, but the wherein latter construction necessitating the dismountable connection or" the rim and relly while the tormer construction is operative even though the rim be permanently connected to the wheel.

The objects of the present invention are the provision of novel and simplified mechanism for the secure attachment of the two rim portions to each other; the provision of attaching means which may. be readily disconnected when occasion shall arise without the necessity for the employment of any special tools other than'those which the operator always possesses, and which shall be proof against accidental disconnection or against being rendered inoperative' by rust, dirt, ice, or other foreign matter; the

provision of a rim of this character in which no relative circular movement of the two parts shallbe necessary to eitherthe attachment or detachment of the parts; the provision ofsecuring means which are permanently attached either to one or the-other Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

of the parts so that there shall be nothing which can by any possibility be lost or miss laid; the provision of attaching means 'which, while perfectly secure under all in.-

cidents of use,'will offer the least possible obstruction to the disconnection of'the parts; the provision of a device whereof all the parts are of great simplicity and uniformity- $03218 to permitthe cheap and rapid manic facture= thereof; the provision of a device of extreme lightness, combined with strength-and elegance; While further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the follow} ing description and claims.

Generally speaking, my invention may be defined as consisting of, the combinations of elements recited in the claims hereto annexed and illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part' hereof,

Figure 1 represents a perspective view'of I 33 of Fig. 2 and looking in the directiim of 'the arrows; Fig. 4 repr esent'slaii inside development of a portlonof the rim show,

ing the parts in connected position; and F i represents a like development the parts being illustrated in disconnected position.

Describing the parts by reference characters, 1 and 2 represent the two portions of a split or sectional. rim, each of which consists of an annular band adapted to embrace a vehicle wheel. The outer edges of these portions are illustrated as provided with inturned flanges or clenehcs 33 adapted to engage the beads of a tire ii in the usual manner, and one of the portions, as 2, is provided with an offset lip 5 adapted to overlie the adjacent edge of the other mem her so as to maintain the outer surfaces thereof substantially flush with each other. F or securing the two members of the rim together I provide the lip 5 with a plurality of pairs of spaced notches (3-ti, and between the notches of each pair I extend the lip forwardly so as to form a head 7, the sides of which project laterally over a portion of the adjacent notches as at the rear sides of these projections prel'cn ably being slightly undercut at 9 and constituti'ne' fixed hook membe The inner face of rim section 1 is provided with pairs of spaced studs l d-10 so arranged that ear-h stud will :fall substantially opposite the corn tor oi a notch b when the two rim sections are assen'ibled. lhe member 1 is also pretcrably provided with a block ll on its inner surface adapted to be received in a notch 12 formed in the dip 5 so as to assure the registering of the studs and notches. Pivoted upon each of the studs 10 is a, member 13 having its forward end booked as at. 1% so as to enter the adjacent notch t3 and on gage behind the projection or lined hook member 8. Secured by a clip 15 midway between each pair of studs is a. leaf spring 16, the ends wl'icreoi are shaped to engage the rearward ends oi the adjacent hook members 13. The exact contormatitm oi" these springs and members can be varied in a number of ways, it being i'ncrely essential that the movable books or sn: ps be held yicldinnly in inward position during the normal use of the rim or be returned to such position after having been displaced therefrom within certain limits, and be also held against returning when displaced 'lrom normal position by a. greater amount. To this end I have illustrated each of the mom berg 13 as provided with a radial shoulder 17 adapted to be engaged by a. similarly shaped portion 18 of the spring during the normal use of the device, the snap member being also formed with a slu'nildcr 9 adapt-- ed to pass by a suitable point of the s 'iring as shown in Fig. 5, when the snap member is moved a sullicient distance out of locking position so that it will be maintained in d 1 placed position. The outer faces of the hooks let and projections 8 are inclined, hernitrates eled or rounded 20-20 so as to exert a camming action upon each other when the members are caused to approach each other. Each of the snap members may conveniently be formed with a slot for the reception. of the blade ot a screwdriver or like tool.

It will be S00!) by reference to Figs. et and 5 that the distance between the studs 10-l0 of each air is substantially the same as that between the ends of the corresponding [il'OjOt'lZiOP-H b n. The rearward sides of these projections being undercut the effect oi any separating stress upon the members will cause them to be drawn yet lllOl'GlllIillY tbg'cther. while their occurrence in pairs will neutralize any tendency to rotate the halves ol the rim with respect to each other. The position of the projections fi--8 slightly at thr side of the studs lit -10 prevents the books from binding: because cl their under cut formation.

The rim may be secured to the wheel. in any one of a great many ways. the particular expedient selected bovine uodwzrring upon the n'esent invention In l igs. :2 and hereo'l l have illustrated a wheel having a folly 25 surrounded by a telly band 26 one edge \vherooi is turned outwardly to form a daring flange 2T adapted to engage one side of the rim. while the other side. of the telly band is left llat for the reception of wedge members in whereby the rim is secured in place as in the usual manner. lhe rim is thus spaced from the telly band by an amount sullicient for the reception of the snap members 1 3. Driving is most couvcnicntlycll't-rtcd by locating the block 11. between driving lugs ilk--25) secured to the outer Face of the telly band. although a separate driving block from the block ll could obviously be employed it desired. in this embodiment l have illustrated the block 11 as having an aperture 210 for the reception of the valve stem 3i in zu-cordanco with the usual practice.

lo the operation oi' detaching; the parts of the rim. a screw driver blade is inserted into the slot IJ oi .ach oi' the snaps successively and the same rotated From the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in Fig. ii, a i 'tcr which the two sections of the he can be separated by a, direct pull and without any opposition exceptiau;- that due to the adhesion oi the rubber to the n'letal. r r'hen the parts are to be reconnected, the snap members l-l are first returned to th position shown in l, the tire.positioned arouu-il the part I with its valve stem projer'ting through the aperture 331') in the usual n'iannar. the one section superposed upon the other with the notch registerh the bloc? T and the parts pro whereupon the s: to Ptlffl'lih 4 with ,ther. inen'ibers 1 will yield the l ads 7 and automaticall3 locking the sections securely together. This closing of the membersl3 behind projections S is facilitated by the convex conformation of the ends of said members and the concave contornnition oi" the notches 6. so that, evenpreferably such as to cause the two sectionsof the rim to be centertal with respect to each other prior to the engagement ofthe tire l zads by the clenches The assembled rim is mounted upon the telly in a positive manner. and it will lie seen that the method of securing the rim will prevent the disconnection of the rim sections from each other even though some or allot the snap members should become disconnected orhreak.

lvhile I have illustrated my improved rim as formed with iuturned flanges 01' rlenches at the sides for use with a tire of that particular kind. I have done so merely because of the wide use of this particular tire and because this construction exhibits in'the fullest degree the advantages of my (-(mstria-tion. i\t the'same time it is obvious that all the benefits of my device would be realizable with any other shape oi rim flanges. It is also obvious that many changes in shape. size. proportion. arrange.- nieut and operation of parts could be made without departing trom mv inventive idea or sacrificing any of the advantages of my wnstrurtion and that l consider all such modifications to fall within the scope of my invention. I I Having thus described my invention, what .l claim is:

l. The (-oi'nbinntioi'i ot a pair of complefi mentary annuli each provided at its outer edge with tire engagii'ig means; inter-engaging means on said annuli. respectively, adapted to secure the same together. said means being autonuitimilly operable to eh i'crt surh engagement upon said annuli hein; brought together: and means adapted to retain said inlcuengagiug means inoperatiw when desired.

The com ination o'l a pair of coniple' mcntary annuli each provided all its outer edge with tire engaging means; inter-em gaging u'uans carried by said annuli whereby the outer sur'l'zu-e. ol' the same are maintaiued sul.=stantiall.y flush with each other: book i'neml'iers piyotally attacned to the iir 1 nor face of one annulus and adapted to engage. the other annulus; and springs engaging said hook members and adapted to mamtam the same in such engagement.

3. The combination of a pair of complementary annuli each provided at its outer edge with a flange adapted to engage the side of a tire; inter-engaging means carried .by said annuli whereby the outer surfaces ot' the same are maintained substantially flush with each other; inter-engaging means carried by said annuli for determining the relative circular position thereof; hook members pivotally attached to the inner face of one annulus and adapted to engage the other annulus; and springs engaging said hook member and adapted to maintain the same in such engagement.

4. The combination of a pair of comple- 8i mentary annuli each provided at its outer edge with a flange adapted to engage the side oi a tire; inter-engaging means carried by said annuli whereby the outer surfaces ot the same are n'iaintainedisubstantially 5. The combination of a pair of comple- 95 .nentary annuli eachprorided at its outer edge with a flange adapted to engage the side of a tire; inter-engaging means carried by the inner edges of said annuli whereby the outer surfaces oi the same are main- J00 tained substantially flush with each other, inter-engaging means carried by said annnli for determining the re ative circular position thereof; hook members pivotally attached to the inner face of one annulus 0 and adapted to engage the other annulus, said-memla-rs having flattened portions and shoulders adjacent to said flattened portions: andsprings ei'igaging said flattened portions whereby said hook members are 11.0

maintained in engagement with said' other annulus, said shoulders serving to hold said hook members out of such engagement when the same are turned so as to move the shoulders past the springs.

3. ".lhc combination of a pair of comple- 1n= -ntary annuli eachprovided at its outer edge with a flange adapted to engage 'the side oi" a tire; inter-engaging means carried by said annuh adapted to maintain the outer surfaces of the same substantially flush with each other: rigid hook members carried by one annulus; and movable hook IIIQHIbGIS' carried by the other annulus and adapted t0 interlock with said rigidmembers, said 2 rigid and movable members having cooperating portions adapted to force said movable members aside'during the approaching movement of the parts.

and adapted to en- The combination of a pair of coinpleing in location to said hooks, the distance between the studs of each pair being substantially equal to the width of the corresponding projection; hook members pivoted upon said studs and having laterally turned undercut hooked ends, complementary to said rigid hooks; and springs carried'by said annulus and engaging said pivotal hook members for automatically forcing the same into engagement with said rigid hooks when the annuli are assembled together.

15. The combination of a pair of com plementary annuli each provided at its outer edge with tire-engaging means; a plurality of pairs of oppositely facing hook members pivotally attached to the inner face of one of said annuli; and means carried by the other annulus for engagement.

by said hook members, whereby the annuli are detachably secured together.

16. The combination of a pair of eomplementary annuli each provided at its outer edge with tire-engaging means; interengaging means carried by said annuli adapted to maintain the same in proper re ative position; pairs of oppositely facing rigid hook members *arried b v one an nulus; and corresponding pairs of movable hook members carried by the other annulus and adapted to interlock with said rigid members.

17. The combination of a pair of complementary annuli each provided at its outer edge with tn'e-engagm; means: intmengaging means carried by said annuli adapted to maintain the same in proper relative position; pairs of oppositely facing rig d hook members carried by one annulus; corresponding pairs of movable hook members carried by the other annulus and adapted to interlock with said rigid members; and springs respectively engaging each pair of said movable hook members .ahd adapted to maintain the same in engagement with the adjacent pair of said fixed hook members.

18. Ina device of the character described, in combination, a pair of complementary annuli adapted when secured together to form a vehicle rim, each of said annuli having at its outer edge an inwardly-turned flange, rigid members carried by the outer edge of one annulus and adapted to overlie the surface of the other annulus, whereby theouter surfaces of the same are maintained substantially fiusl. with each other, said rigid m mbers having undercut shoulders, and I movable hookmembers secured to the other of said annuli and adapted to engage said shoulders, whereby the annuli are detachably secured together.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto ailix mysignature in the presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD S. BRYAXT.

ll'itnesses:

llanom E. SMITH, J. B. HULL. 

